Scan barcode
stop_hammatime15's review
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
sad
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
nicolemhewitt's review
5.0
This review and many more can be found on my blog: Feed Your Fiction Addiction
This is one of those timely books that you want to put into the hands of all middle graders—and a whole bunch of adults too. When Efrén’s mother is deported, it turns his life upside down in a myriad of ways. Suddenly, his father has to work even more to try and earn the money to bring her back home, and Efrén now has the responsibility of taking care of his siblings. There’s the stress of missing his mother, of missed assignments and missing out on friendships—he’s suddenly so busy, and he’s afraid to tell people what happened because then they will know that his mother is illegal. The constant fear looming over Efrén is huge. There’s the fear that his mother won’t be able to return (or that something horrible will happen to her on the dangerous trip home), the fear that his father could be taken too, and the fear that his life will continue to crumble.
It’s easy to think of immigration as an “issue” and ignore the humanity of it all. This book shines a spotlight on that human side of the equation. It shows us why people might flee Mexico and what it really does to a family when it’s being torn apart. And the story is told in a way that will capture kids’ attention (especially toward the end when Efrén has to do something very brave to try to help his mother). I highly recommend this book!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
This is one of those timely books that you want to put into the hands of all middle graders—and a whole bunch of adults too. When Efrén’s mother is deported, it turns his life upside down in a myriad of ways. Suddenly, his father has to work even more to try and earn the money to bring her back home, and Efrén now has the responsibility of taking care of his siblings. There’s the stress of missing his mother, of missed assignments and missing out on friendships—he’s suddenly so busy, and he’s afraid to tell people what happened because then they will know that his mother is illegal. The constant fear looming over Efrén is huge. There’s the fear that his mother won’t be able to return (or that something horrible will happen to her on the dangerous trip home), the fear that his father could be taken too, and the fear that his life will continue to crumble.
It’s easy to think of immigration as an “issue” and ignore the humanity of it all. This book shines a spotlight on that human side of the equation. It shows us why people might flee Mexico and what it really does to a family when it’s being torn apart. And the story is told in a way that will capture kids’ attention (especially toward the end when Efrén has to do something very brave to try to help his mother). I highly recommend this book!
***Disclosure: I received this book from the publisher via Edelweiss for review purposes. No other compensation was given and all opinions are my own.***
booksaremagickt's review
hopeful
informative
inspiring
reflective
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
5 🌟
This is not normally a book i would pick up and read. Im more into fantasy and romance in general. But this is a book that is being workshopped at my job so I wanted to check it out. I think this is a sweet wonderful story. It's also SUCH an important topic and would be a great book for middle grade kids to have a real discussion on this countries issues with immigration and race and the politics behind it. It made me teary eyed SO many times, and i think it was well written. I highly recommend 💕
This is not normally a book i would pick up and read. Im more into fantasy and romance in general. But this is a book that is being workshopped at my job so I wanted to check it out. I think this is a sweet wonderful story. It's also SUCH an important topic and would be a great book for middle grade kids to have a real discussion on this countries issues with immigration and race and the politics behind it. It made me teary eyed SO many times, and i think it was well written. I highly recommend 💕
rachtat's review against another edition
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
audrey_reads_alot's review against another edition
challenging
emotional
hopeful
informative
sad
medium-paced
5.0
mnstucki's review
3.0
3.5 Stars
A great middle-grade look into the life of a child of undocumented immigrants and the effects of deportation on families. A quick read with lots to unpack and discuss with kids.
A great middle-grade look into the life of a child of undocumented immigrants and the effects of deportation on families. A quick read with lots to unpack and discuss with kids.
jwinchell's review
5.0
I can’t recall another book for middle grade readers about deportation and immigration across the border with Mexico. I found Efren to be compelling and realistic, and his ways of coping with the stress of his AMA’s deportation to be realistic. I loved the extensive use of Spanish. Context clues helped me figure out most of the language but not all, and I liked that. An extensive Glossary contained all the translations. We need books about deportation and immigration and new writer Ernesto Cisneros delivers.